Former Labour MSP Neil Findlay quits party in protest against benefit cuts

Former MSP Neil Findlay has quit the Labour party in protest against the UK Government’s £5bn in cuts to the welfare system.

Findlay, the former MSP for Lothian, accused the UK Government in an open letter on X of trying to “punish and stigmatise the weak, poor and the vulnerable”.

It comes after work and pensions secretary Liz Kendall unveiled a series of reforms to the welfare system that will significantly change the support that disabled people or those with long-term health conditions receive.

The benefit reforms are expected to make savings of £5bn by 2030.

The UK Labour Government announced a package of disability reforms on Tuesday.

Politics

UK Government announces benefits crackdown to save £5bn

Proposed changes to Universal Credit and the benefits available to young people were confirmed.

In his letter, he also hit out at the decision to means-test the Winter Fuel Payment and the failure to compensate Waspi women affected by state pension changes.

Findlay, who was a member of Scottish Labour for 35 years, said he could no longer remain a member of a party that “lied to the British people at the last election and with regularity betrays the people who voted for it”.

The open letter read: “Over three-and-a half-decades, I have volunteered for many different roles in the party, posted more leaflets than I care to remember, knocked on tens of thousands of doors, raised money for elections and served nine years as a councillor and ten as an MSP.

“But today I can no longer remain a member a party that lied to the British people at the last election and with regularity betrays the people who voted for it.

“At a time when more people are going hungry, fuel bills are soaring and the cost of living is leaving working class families unable to afford the basics, a Labour Government should be going after the billions lost in corporate tax fraud and avoidance, it should be making those companies that pollute our environment pay and it should be introducing a wealth tax on the super rich.

“But instead you choose to punish and stigmatise the weak, poor and the vulnerable.”

The benefits reforms include changes to Universal Credit and job seekers allowance as well as new, stricter eligibility requirements for sick and disabled people receiving Personal Independence Payments (PIP).

Labour is also set to raise the age at which people can claim PIP to 22.

Findlay’s letter concluded: “The reality is that Labour will be lucky to come third at the forthcoming Scottish election, will lose power in Wales for the first time and faces being routed at the next UK election and this will be down to your disastrous tenure as leader.

“All of which threatened the very existence of the party. MPs who continue to support your agenda are turkeys voting for Christmas.

“In solidarity with the individuals and families who will be affected by these vindictive and brutal policies and for my own sanity, dignity and self respect I can no longer remain a member of the Labour party.”

Scottish Labour has been contacted for comment.